U.S. patent number 10,546,512 [Application Number 14/728,089] was granted by the patent office on 2020-01-28 for learning support apparatus, data output method in learning support apparatus, and storage medium.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kazuhisa Nakamura.
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United States Patent |
10,546,512 |
Nakamura |
January 28, 2020 |
Learning support apparatus, data output method in learning support
apparatus, and storage medium
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a learning support apparatus
includes a display unit and a processor. The processor executes a
process of reading out map data of a designated age from a
plurality of map data corresponding to a plurality of ages, and
outputting the read-out map data; and reading out, if a position on
a map is designated on the output map data, historical information
relating to the designated position and the designated age of the
map from historical dictionary data, and outputting the read-out
historical information.
Inventors: |
Nakamura; Kazuhisa (Akiruno,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. |
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
(Tokyo, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
54770052 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/728,089 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20150356884 A1 |
Dec 10, 2015 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 5, 2014 [JP] |
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2014-117117 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B
19/0046 (20130101); G09B 29/006 (20130101); G09B
19/0061 (20130101); G09B 5/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09B
19/00 (20060101); G09B 5/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;434/154,130 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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102999548 |
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Mar 2013 |
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CN |
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61295589 |
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Dec 1986 |
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JP |
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2004191761 |
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Jul 2004 |
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JP |
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2012068130 |
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Jul 2004 |
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JP |
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2006058495 |
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Mar 2006 |
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JP |
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2008145935 |
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Jun 2008 |
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JP |
|
Other References
Britton, Peter; Britton, Jonny; TimeMaps History Atlas; 2010;
TimeMaps; http://www.timemaps.com/history. cited by examiner .
United States; Feb. 26, 2012; Wikipedia;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States. cited by examiner
.
Sheppard Software; 2012; sheppardsoftware.com;
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/World_GL.html; last accessed Mar.
14, 2018. cited by examiner .
North America: 2005AD; Jul. 3, 2013; TimeMaps;
https://web.archive.org/web/20130703133129/http://www.timemaps.com:80/his-
tory/north-america-2005ad. cited by examiner .
The World Factbook: North America: United States; May 13, 2013;
Central Intelligence Agency;
https://web.archive.org/web/20130513190201/https://www.cia.gov/library/pu-
blications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html. cited by examiner .
Chinese Office Action dated Jul. 17, 2017 issued in counterpart
Chinese Application No. 201510303471.4. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action dated Dec. 5, 2017 issued in counterpart
Japanese Application No. 2014-117117. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action dated Mar. 15, 2018 (and English translation
thereof) issued in counterpart Chinese Application No.
201510303471.4. cited by applicant .
Zheng, et al., "China Geographical Information System Association
4th Membership Congress and the 11th Annual Meeting Proceeding",
Chinese History Geography Digital Application Platform Based on
Chinese History Geographical Information System CHGIS, Aug. 28,
2008, pp. 1-25. cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Yao; Samchuan C
Assistant Examiner: Luo; Joshua S
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Holtz, Holtz & Volek PC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic learning support apparatus comprising: a display;
a memory; a storage storing, in association with each other, (i)
map data for each of a plurality of historical ages, (ii) position
data related to each of a plurality of place names associated with
the map data for any one of the plurality of historical ages, and
(iii) historical information data including data of a plurality of
topics of learning, each of the plurality of topics of learning
being related to any one of the plurality of place names; and a
hardware processor which, under control of a program stored in the
memory, executes processes comprising: a first display process
which controls the display to display (i) one map from among the
map data stored in the storage, the one map corresponding to a
historical age designated by a user, and (ii) a plurality of topic
names each of which indicates one of the plurality of topics of
learning and is selectable by a designation operation performed by
the user; a first place name acquisition process which, in response
to the user designating a first position on the displayed one map,
automatically (i) controls the display to display a first mark on
the displayed one map at the first position and (ii) acquires, from
the position data stored in the storage, a first place name
corresponding to the first position based on the position data; and
a second display process which, in response to the user selecting
one of the displayed plurality of topic names by performing the
designation operation, automatically (i) obtains, from the
historical information data stored in the storage, data of one of
the plurality of topics of learning associated with both the
acquired first place name and the selected one of the displayed
plurality of topic names, and (ii) controls the display to display
the obtained data of the one of the plurality of topics of
learning, thereby enabling the user to easily learn historical
information indicated by the displayed data of the one of the
plurality of topics of learning, wherein the obtained data of the
one of the plurality of topics of learning comprises text including
a second place name, and wherein the hardware processor further
executes: a third display process which, in response to the user
designating the second place name included in the displayed data of
the one of the plurality of topics of learning, automatically
controls the display to display a second mark on the displayed one
map at a second position corresponding to the second place name,
based on the position data related to the second place name, such
that both of the first mark and the second mark are displayed on
the displayed one map simultaneously, thereby enabling the user to
easily learn geographical information corresponding to the second
place name included in the displayed data of the one of the
plurality of topics of learning.
2. The electronic learning support apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the hardware processor further executes: a second place name
acquisition process which, in response to the user designating a
plurality of positions on the displayed one map, automatically (i)
controls the display to display a mark on the displayed one map at
each of the plurality of positions and (ii) acquires, from the
position data stored in the storage, place names respectively
corresponding to the plurality of positions based on the position
data.
3. The electronic learning support apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the plurality of topics of learning are selected from among topics
of politics, culture, and products.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority
from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-117117, filed Jun. 5,
2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a learning support apparatus for
supporting learning of history and geography, a data output method
in the learning support apparatus, and a storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as an apparatus for supporting learning of history,
for example, the following is known.
There is thought a display system of historical event information
with map information, wherein accurate map information composed of
latitude and longitude of the earth is added to a historical
information database, and historical event information can be
comprehensively surveyed in chronological order by designating an
area/age (e.g. Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
2004-191761).
There is thought a historical map output apparatus wherein
historical information corresponding to a time, which is designated
by time designation information for designating a past time, is
acquired, and an image of the acquired historical information can
be displayed on an image of map information of an area relating to
this historical information (e.g. Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI
Publication No. 2008-145935).
It is desired that learning be done more easily by associating
historical matters with geography of the age of the historical
matters.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above
problem, and the object of the invention is to provide a learning
support apparatus and method, which enable easier learning by
associating historical matters with geography of the age of the
historical matters.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A learning support apparatus according to the present invention
includes a display unit and a processor. The processor is
configured to execute a process of:
reading out map data of a designated age from a plurality of map
data corresponding to a plurality of ages, and outputting the
read-out map data; and
reading out, if a position on a map is designated on the output map
data, historical information relating to the designated position
and the designated age of the map from historical dictionary data,
and outputting the read-out historical information.
According to the learning support apparatus, learning can be done
more easily by associating historical matters with geography of the
age of the historical matters.
Advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description
which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or
may be learned by practice of the invention. Advantages of the
invention may be realized and obtained by means of the
instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the
invention, and together with the general description given above
and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve
to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an
electronic circuit of a learning support apparatus 10 according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram in a case where the learning
support apparatus 10 is realized by a tablet terminal 20T and a
server apparatus 30S.
FIG. 3 is a front view of an external appearance in a case where
the learning support apparatus 10 is implemented by an electronic
dictionary apparatus 10D.
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the content of a historical
dictionary DB 32b1 which is stored in a content DB 32b.
FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the content of a map DB (area-by-area
basis) 32c1 which is stored in a map/place-name DB 32c.
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the content of a place-name DB 32c2
which is stored in the map/place-name DB 32c.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a history/geography learning
process which is executed by the learning support apparatus 10.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a dictionary search process in
the learning support apparatus 10.
FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are views illustrating a first display
operation of the learning support apparatus 10.
FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are views illustrating a second display
operation of the learning support apparatus 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an
electronic circuit of a learning support apparatus 10 according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
The learning support apparatus 10 is configured to include an
input/output device 20 and a data processor 30 that is a
computer.
The input/output device 20 includes a key input unit 21, a touch
panel-equipped display unit 22, an input/output controller 23 for
the key input unit 21 and touch panel-equipped display unit 22, and
an interface (IF) unit 24 for connecting the input/output
controller 23 to the data processor 30.
The data processor 30 includes a controller (CPU) 31, a storage
device 32 which stores various programs for executing control
operations of the controller 31, and databases, a RAM 33 which
stores working data which is involved in the control operations,
and an interface (IF) unit 34 for connecting the controller (CPU)
31 to the input/output device 20.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram in a case where the learning
support apparatus 10 is realized by a tablet terminal 20T and a
server apparatus 30S.
In the case of the learning support apparatus 10 illustrated in
FIG. 2, the tablet terminal 20T functions as the input/output
device 20, and the server apparatus 30S functions as the data
processor 30.
FIG. 3 is a front view of an external appearance in a case where
the learning support apparatus 10 is implemented by an electronic
dictionary apparatus 10D.
In the case of the electronic dictionary apparatus 10D illustrated
in FIG. 3, both the input/output device 20 and the data processor
30 are integrally built in the electronic dictionary apparatus 10D.
The key input unit 21 is provided on a lower case side of the
apparatus body, and the touch panel-equipped display unit 22 is
provided on an upper case side of the apparatus body. The key input
unit 21 of the electronic dictionary apparatus 10D includes various
dictionary designation keys, character input keys, a [Jump] key, a
[Select] key, and a [Back] key. Furthermore, the key input unit 21
includes a [History/Geography Learning] key 21a for setting the
operation mode of history/geography learning.
Control programs 32a which are executed by the controller 31, a
content DB 32b and a map/place-name DB 32c are prestored in the
storage device 32 of the data processor 30. These programs and data
may be read in and stored from an external storage medium such as a
CD-ROM or a memory card, or may be downloaded and stored from a
program server on a communication network such as the Internet.
The control programs 32a include a system program which controls
the operation of the entirety of the learning support apparatus 10,
and a communication program for communicating data with an external
device on the communication network, or a user PC (Personal
Computer) which is not shown. In addition, the control programs 32a
include a dictionary search program for controlling a search
process, as a whole, for the content DB 32b in the storage device
32. Besides, the control programs 32a includes a learning support
program for enabling learning in which a historical matter is
associated with geography of the age of this historical matter,
based on the content DB 32b and map/place-name DB 32c in the
storage device 32.
The control programs 32a are started in accordance with an input
signal corresponding to a user operation from the key input unit 21
of the input/output device 20 or the touch panel-equipped display
unit 22, or a communication signal with an external device on the
communication network. Various dictionary DBs (Databases), such as
a Japanese dictionary, an English-Japanese dictionary, a
Japanese-English dictionary, an English-English dictionary and a
historical dictionary, are stored in the content DB 32b.
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the content of a historical
dictionary DB 32b1 which is stored in the content DB 32b in the
data processor 30 of the learning support apparatus 10.
In this historical dictionary DB 32b1, information of history
corresponding to ages in respective areas such as Asia, Europe,
etc. is stored such that the data of entry words are associated
with the data of matters of the politics, culture and products
relating to the data of the entry words.
FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the content of a map DB (area-by-area
basis) 32c1 which is stored in the map/place-name DB 32c in the
data processor 30 of the learning support apparatus 10.
In this map DB (area-by-area basis) 32c1, map data relating to each
age (XX (year) to YY (year)) is stored on an area-by-area basis
with respect to areas such as Asia, Europe, etc.
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the content of a place-name DB 32c2
which is stored in the map/place-name DB 32c in the data processor
30 of the learning support apparatus 10.
In this place-name DB 32c2, place-names existing on respective map
data stored in the map DB (area-by-area basis) 32c1 and the data of
XY coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the positions of the
place-names are stored such that the place-names and the data of XY
coordinates are associated with map IDs of the map data.
In the RAM 33 in the data processor 30, a display data storage area
33a and a designated position data storage area 33b are
secured.
In the display data storage area 33a, display data, which is to be
displayed on the touch panel-equipped display unit 22, is
stored.
In the designated position data storage area 33b, position data,
which was designated in accordance with a user operation on the
displayed map data, is stored.
In the learning support apparatus 10 with the above-described
structure, the controller (CPU) 31 of the data processor 30
controls the operations of the respective circuit components in
accordance with instructions described in the control programs 32a
(including the above-described dictionary search program and
learning support program), and realizes functions, which will be
described in the operational description below, by the cooperation
between software and hardware.
Next, the operation of the learning support apparatus 10 with the
above structure is described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a history/geography learning
process which is executed by the data processor 30 of the learning
support apparatus 10.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a dictionary search process in
the history/geography learning process of the learning support
apparatus 10.
FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are views illustrating a first display
operation in the input/output device 20 according to the
history/geography learning process of the learning support
apparatus 10.
FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are views illustrating a second display
operation in the input/output device 20 according to the
history/geography learning process of the learning support
apparatus 10.
If the control program 32a (learning support program) of the data
processor 30 is started by the data processor 30 in accordance with
a user operation of the input/output device 20, an operation mode
selection screen, which prompts selection of either a map learning
mode for learning from a map or a dictionary learning mode for
learning from a dictionary, is transmitted to the input/output
device 20 and is displayed on the touch panel-equipped display unit
22 of the input/output device 20.
(Map Learning Mode)
If it is determined that the map learning mode was selected on the
operation mode selection screen (step S1 (Yes)), an area
designation screen for designating a place (area), which is to be
set as an object of learning, is transmitted to the input/output
device 20 and displayed.
If a user designates an area, which is to be set as an object of
learning, through the area designation screen (step S2),
present-day map data of the designated area is read out from the
map DB (area-by-area basis) 32c1 of the map/place-name DB 32c, and,
as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the present-day map data is transmitted
to the input/output device 20 and displayed (step S3).
FIG. 9A illustrates a state in which "East Asia area" is designated
as the designated area, and map data M1 of the modern East Asia
area is displayed.
At this time, an age designation slider SL for designating an age
is displayed under the map data M1. Incidentally, a tab T of the
age designation slider SL initially designates the present age. In
addition, item buttons "Politics" K1, "Culture" K2 and "Products"
K3 for designating what kind of matters are to be learnt with
respect to the designated age are displayed. The searched history
or geography information is displayed on an information display
area E.
Then, if the tab T of the age designation slider SL is operated by
the user and the age of the seventh century, for instance, is
designated as illustrated in FIG. 9B, it is determined in the data
processor 30 that the age was designated (step S4 (Yes)), and map
data M2 of the "East Asia area" corresponding to the "seventh
century" is read out from the map DB (area-by-area basis) 32c1,
transmitted to the input/output device 20 and displayed (step
S5).
If the user touches one point on the map of the map data M2 of the
"East Asia area" of the "seventh century" displayed on the touch
panel-equipped display unit 22, it is determined in the data
processor 30 that a position was designated (step S6 (Yes)), and,
as illustrated in FIG. 10A, a designated position mark "x Point 1"
is displayed at the touched position on the map data M2 (step
S7).
Then, the XY coordinates (latitude/longitude) corresponding to the
designated position "x Point 1" and the place-name of the
designated position "x Point 1" are acquired from the place-name DB
32c2, and "Point 1; North latitude: 37.17892, East longitude:
128.673019, (Koukurikoku "Koguryo") (Imokuri)" is displayed (step
S8). Incidentally, a plurality of places can be designated by the
position designation.
If the user operates, for example, the item button "Politics" K1,
it is determined that the item was designated (step S9 (Yes)), and
matters (historical information) of "Politics" including the
place-name "Point 1: (Koukurikoku "Koguryo") (Imokuri)" are
searched from the historical dictionary DB 32b1 (step S10). As a
result, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the content " (Bc37" (Koguryo
(c. 37 BC-668 AD) . . . ) is displayed on the information display
area E as the search result (step S11).
In the meantime, when the user designated a plurality of positions
on the map data M2, the coordinates corresponding to the respective
designated positions "Point 1, Point 2, . . . " and the place-names
thereof are acquired and displayed. Then, if an arbitrary button Kn
of the item buttons is designated, common matters of the designated
item, which include the place-names of the respective designated
positions, are searched from the historical dictionary DB 32b1 and
displayed (steps S6 to S11).
In the state in which the search result is displayed on the
information display area E, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, if a
place-name "" (Musashinokuni Komagun) h in the text of the search
result is selected, it is determined that the place-name was
selected (step S12 (Yes)). Then, the XY coordinates
(latitude/longitude) of the position corresponding to the
designated place-name is read out from the place-name DB 32c2, and
a designated position mark "x Point 2" is displayed at the
corresponding position on the map data M2 (step S13).
Then, if an item button Kn, which is other than from the "Politics"
K1, is designated (step S14 (Yes)), matters of the other item (Kn),
which include the place-name of the designated position, are
searched from the historical dictionary DB 32b1 and displayed
(steps S10 and S11).
(Dictionary Learning Mode)
On the other hand, if it is determined that the dictionary learning
mode was selected by a user operation on the operation mode
selection screen (step S1 (No)), a transition occurs to the
dictionary search process illustrated in FIG. 8 (step SA).
If the dictionary search process is started, an input screen of a
search word is displayed on the touch panel-equipped display unit
22 of the input/output device 20. The user inputs a search word on
this input screen (step A1). Next, in the data processor 30, an
entry word corresponding the input search word is searched from the
historical dictionary DB 32b1 (step A2).
Then, explanatory information (historical information) of the
searched entry word is read out of the historical dictionary DB
32b1, and is displayed on the touch panel-equipped display unit 22
of the input/output device 20 (step A3).
If the user touches a place-name included in the displayed
explanatory information (historical information) (step A4 (Yes)),
the associated age is specified from the text of characters and
numerals, such as "" (AD), "BC" and "" (year), which are included
in this explanatory information (step A5).
Then, map data Mn of the specified age, which relates to the area
including the designated place-name, is specified based on the map
DB (area-by-area basis) 32c1 and place-name DB 32c2 (step A6), and
the specified map data is read out and displayed on the touch
panel-equipped display unit 22 of the input/output device 20 (step
A7).
In this manner, if a transition occurs to the state (steps A1 to
A7) in which the map data Mn of the specified age and area is
displayed after the explanatory information (historical
information) of the dictionary was displayed, the same subsequent
process (steps A8 to A16) as the process of steps S6 to S14, which
has been described in the operational description of the map
learning mode, will be executed.
Specifically, if a point on the map data Mn is touched by the user
(step A8 (Yes)), the designated position is displayed as
illustrated in FIG. 10A (step A9), and the place-name of this
position is acquired and displayed (step A10).
In addition, if the item button Kn is designated (step A11 (Yes)),
matters (historical information) of the corresponding item (Kn),
which include the place-name of the designated position, are
searched from the historical dictionary DB 32b1 and displayed
(steps A12 and A13).
Then, if a place-name h in the text of the displayed matters
(historical information) is selected (step A14 (Yes)), the position
on the map data Mn, which corresponds to the selected place-name h,
is displayed (step A15).
In addition, if an item button Km, which is other than the
designated item button Kn, is designated (step A16 (Yes)), matters
of the other item (Km), which include the place-name of the
designated position, are searched from the historical dictionary DB
32b1 and displayed (steps A12 and A13).
Thus, according to the learning support apparatus 10 with the
above-described structure, each point on the map of the age that is
the object of learning can be designated, and the historical
matters, which occurred at the designated point, can easily be
learnt.
Additionally, based on historical matters (historical information)
displayed in accordance with the place-name of the position
designated on the map, the position on the map of the place-name
included in those historical matters can easily be displayed.
Additionally, from the place-name included in desired historical
matters (historical information) searched from the historical
dictionary, a map relating to the age of these historical matters,
on which this place-name is present, can easily be displayed.
Therefore, easier learning is enabled by associating a historical
matter with geography of the age of the historical matter.
Incidentally, the methods and databases (DBs) of the respective
processes by the learning support apparatus 10 described in each of
the embodiments, that is, the respective methods of the
history/geography learning process illustrated in FIG. 7 and the
dictionary search process in the history/geography learning process
illustrated in FIG. 8 and the content DB 32b and map/place-name DB
32c, can all be stored as computer-executable programs in a medium
of an external storage device, such as a memory card (ROM card, RAM
card, etc.), a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an
optical disc (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory, and
can be distributed. In addition, the computer (controller) of the
electronic device reads the program, which is stored in the medium
of the external storage device, into the storage device, and the
operation is controlled by this read-in program. Thereby, it is
possible to realize the learning support function, which has been
described in each of the embodiments, and to execute the same
processes by the above-described methods.
In addition, the data of the program for realizing each of the
above-described methods can be transmitted on a communication
network in the form of a program code, and the data of the program
can be taken in the electronic device from a computer apparatus
(program server) connected to this communication network, and
stored in the storage device, thereby realizing the above-described
learning support function.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects
is not limited to the specific details and representative
embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *
References